Method and apparatus for de-icing dehumidifier
US6490876B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Feb 13, 2001 |
| Grant date | Dec 10, 2002 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 13, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF24F11/41
- WIPO fieldThermal processes and apparatus
- WIPO sectorMechanical engineering
Abstract
A method and apparatus for operating a dehumidifier in a de-ice mode is provided wherein the dehumidifier has an evaporator coil, a fan operated by a fan motor to cause a flow of ambient air over the evaporator coil, and a compressor operated by a compressor motor to cause a flow of refrigerant to the evaporator coil. A control is provided for detecting a characteristic of the dehumidifier associated with the formation of frost on the evaporator coil. Such characteristic could be the temperature of the evaporator coil, the rate of change of the temperature of the coil, a drop in the amp draw of the compressor motor below a predetermined value or a predetermined rate of downward change in the amp draw of the compressor motor. The control terminates power to the compressor motor after detection of the characteristic, either immediately or after a predetermined time, while continuing operation of the fan to provide the melting. Normal operation is resumed when the characteristic is no longer detected, or after passage of a predetermined amount of time.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.